Mashima Tomoya had just left when all sorts of commotion broke out in the classroom.
"Ten thousand yen? That's unbelievable!"
"Hahaha! Getting into Advanced Nurturing High School must've used up all the luck I'll ever have!"
"Not only do we get guaranteed admission, but we get money, too. This school treats us so well."
The students were chatting happily when Katsuragi Kohei made a suggestion.
"Why don't we introduce ourselves before the opening ceremony? We're all going to be classmates from now on, after all."
Quite a few people's eyes lit up at that.
It was obvious that most of the students immediately approved of his suggestion.
Katsuragi Kohei then walked to the middle of the podium and swept his gaze over the room. "Let's go in seating order. Keep it brief; efficiency comes first."
Sakayanagi Arisu's silver-white hair shimmered in the morning light. She gently twirled her cane. "There's no need to be so impatient, Katsuragi. But I suppose this is better than trying to work out the rules while looking at a group of 'nobodies.'" She spoke the word "rules" softly, but several sharp-eyed students frowned. The rules of this school were still unclear.
Katsuragi Kohei spoke first. "I'm Katsuragi Kohei. I don't have any particular hobbies. My goal is to graduate smoothly and find a good job. I hope we can all work hard together over the next few years. Please take care of me."
Sakayanagi rose with a soft laugh. "I'm Sakayanagi Arisu. If Uesugi wants to date me, he'll have to work very hard for it." Leaning on her cane, she turned her icy blue eyes on Uesugi Hara, a playful look in them.
"Is that really Sakayanagi? The chairman's daughter!" one student exclaimed excitedly.
"Please don't treat me differently because of my father. More than being the chairman's daughter, I'd like to spend these three years with you all as an ordinary student."
When it was Uesugi Hara's turn, he nodded, unwilling to be outdone. "I'm Uesugi Hara. If I had to name a goal, it'd be to work hard enough to deserve Miss Arisu."
Another wave of commotion swept through the room. Uesugi Hara looked a little gloomy—the months after his butler's death had left their mark, and the protagonist had two sets of memories—but he was only slightly less handsome than Satonaka Satoshi. The two of them standing together would surely be called a perfect match.
Sakayanagi Arisu tapped her cane lightly on the floor. "I'll look forward to it."
With the introductions over, it was time to head to the auditorium for the opening ceremony.
Sakayanagi Arisu turned down everyone else's invitations to walk with them and called out to Uesugi Hara, who was just about to slip out the back door. "Uesugi, would you accompany me?"
Seeing that he couldn't get away, Uesugi Hara went over to Sakayanagi Arisu. He held out his hand like a gentleman inviting a dance partner and gave her a faintly sunny smile. "It would be my pleasure."
As they walked toward the auditorium, Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on her cane, her silver-white hair brushing her shoulders and a subtle curve on her lips. "You're very good at finding loopholes in the rules, Uesugi." She said no more, but Uesugi Hara understood that she had her eye on him.
"Likewise. You're impressive too, Miss Arisu. You saw right through the things the teacher kept deliberately ignoring."
Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled, then suddenly asked Uesugi Hara, "What do you think of this school?"
"It's great. A 100% graduation rate, a 100% employment rate, and money to spend every month. My old life can't compare to this at all."
"Hehe. Uesugi, you know that's not what I want to hear." The little girl stopped, wearing a faint smile. Her eyes held a scrutinizing look as she watched Uesugi Hara.
Damn, this little girl isn't cute at all! I'd love to see her cry! Uesugi Hara thought maliciously. But he wore a warm smile as he asked, "Then what would you like to hear, Miss Arisu?"
The little girl simply smiled at him without answering his question.
She really isn't cute at all! Uesugi Hara thought again. But he still spoke up. "There were traps all through what Mashima said earlier. First, 'you'll receive points every month,' then 'students are evaluated based on their ability,' and then 'the class's ability will be evaluated.' He never said whether we'd still get a hundred thousand points next month, nor did he explain how ability would be measured. And he ignored the role of Class Points. Just thinking about it feels suspicious."
"What do you think the problem is?" The little girl's playful smile faded a little, and her gaze grew more serious. She asked as if it were just a passing question.
"He talked about evaluating both students and classes, which clearly means they're linked. The only information we have that's related to the class is Class Points, so those must be the measure of ability.
"And he didn't say outright that we could live well at school—that is, by having points. He said our ability would be measured, which means only capable people can live well. In other words, capable classes can live well. Class Points measure a class, while personal points determine a person's standard of living. So Class Points must determine personal points. Based on what we know, it should be personal points = Class Points × 100.
"Of course, all of that is speculation. We'll have to wait until next month for a definite answer. Or we could buy information about it, since 'points can buy anything.'"
Sakayanagi Arisu fell into thought. Even she hadn't connected all those dots.
Looking at the little girl lost in thought in front of him, Uesugi Hara gently tugged at the soft, seemingly boneless hand in his palm. "If we don't get going, we'll be late." His tone was a little helpless.
"Uesugi, you really are interesting." Sakayanagi Arisu came to her senses.
The two continued toward the school auditorium.
During the opening ceremony, the principal's speech went on and on without ever mentioning the school's rules. Uesugi Hara sat in the back row of Class A, with Sakayanagi Arisu beside him.
Listening to the principal speak, he couldn't help thinking that opening ceremonies were equally boring everywhere.
After the opening ceremony came free time, and the students immediately split into groups.
"Miss Arisu, I'm going to the cafeteria to eat. What about you?" Uesugi Hara asked the little girl beside him.
"Oh my, is this an invitation, Uesugi? I'd be happy to." Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on her cane and covered her mouth with one hand as she chuckled.
Uesugi Hara certainly didn't think the little girl was interested in him. He figured she was just using him as a tool.
He didn't refuse, either. Who could turn down a soft, frail little girl? Besides, if the others in class found out he'd left a frail girl who needed a cane to walk around the school alone, he'd be sure to get scolded.
At the cafeteria, Uesugi Hara watched Sakayanagi Arisu eat across from him. She was refined and particular, taking small bites and chewing slowly, her posture elegant. By contrast, he shoveled food down at lightning speed and couldn't help licking his lips when he finished. With everyone around them staring curiously, even Uesugi Hara—whose face had been thicker than a city wall in his previous life—felt a little uncomfortable.
He remembered the table manners his butler had taught him, but the consciousness of an ordinary college student was in the driver's seat. It was hard not to lose control in front of delicious food.
After finishing her meal, Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Uesugi Hara, who had finished long before her. As if she'd noticed his embarrassment, she teased him. "You really know how to take it easy, Uesugi."
Uesugi Hara hurriedly changed the subject. "Miss Arisu, do you see that counter over there that doesn't require points?"
Sakayanagi Arisu followed the direction of his finger. "Are you talking about those people who look a little malnourished?"
"As expected of the clever and perceptive Miss Arisu. You saw right through what I wanted to say."
"You're quite the smooth talker, Uesugi. I wonder how many girls you've fooled with that mouth of yours." Sakayanagi Arisu laughed softly.
"Not at all. I'm ashamed to admit that I've never been in a relationship in all these years." Uesugi Hara said sheepishly.
"So are you setting your sights on me, then, Uesugi?" Sakayanagi Arisu teased.
"Yes. Someone as cute as you, Miss Sakayanagi, is hard to look away from once you've seen her." Uesugi Hara pretended to be shy.
Sakayanagi Arisu watched his affected manner and laughed softly. "Hehe. You really are as smooth-tongued as ever, Uesugi." Still, she lifted her elegant chin, revealing her snow-white neck.
Uesugi Hara had no idea what the little girl was showing off. Looking at her, he thought, Those A-cups might be smaller than my pecs.
The little girl seemed to sense something. She eyed Uesugi Hara suspiciously. "I feel like you're thinking something very rude, Uesugi."
Uesugi Hara coughed into his fist and brought the conversation back around. "Judging by those people, my earlier guess is probably right."
"That's right. It seems you really are quite capable, Uesugi."
"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Sakayanagi." One day, I'll sit you on my lap and spank you until you stop talking like that.
"I feel like you're thinking something rude again, Uesugi." Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze sharpened, making him uncomfortable all over.
"Miss Arisu, we should get going." Helpless, he resorted to his tried-and-true method—changing the subject.
Uesugi Hara stood and turned to leave.
"Uesugi~"
She stopped him with a single call. He turned to look at the little girl, who stood leaning on her cane and smiling at him.
Uesugi Hara seemed to realize something: rich young ladies didn't have to clear their own tables! Helplessly, he went back and tidied up. Fortunately, the young lady had excellent table manners and had left the table clean. All he had to do was take away the trays.
Damn capitalists! They should all be strung up on lampposts! What? I'm one of them now, too? Never mind, then.
Walking silently behind the little girl, Uesugi Hara suddenly had a thought: Have I been successfully trained? That's horrifying! He stared at the little girl's back in alarm.
Wasn't this the kind of thing the little maid, Kamuro Masumi, should be doing? Uesugi Hara sighed inwardly, hoping the little girl would hurry up and take in her little maid.